Does Dolphin Cove provide housing for interns?
Dolphin Cove does not provide housing, however, intern coordinators may assist with finding housing options within close proximity to the facility. Units are furnished, include all utilities and range in price from $700-$950/month. Each unit is a little different, and may or may not include internet or a full stove/oven.
Is it okay to submit an unofficial transcript with the completed application?
To make the application process easier, Dolphin Cove will accept both official and unofficial college transcripts.
Will interns be given the opportunity to participate in dolphin assisted therapy with special needs children?
Dolphin Cove no longer offers a dolphin assisted therapy program at our facility. Island Dolphin Care is a not-for-profit organization located at our sister facility, Dolphins Plus. They provide dolphin- assisted therapy to children with special needs. Island Dolphin Care is separate from Dolphins Plus and has its own internship program. If you are more interested in the therapy aspect of working with dolphins rather than the training aspect, we recommend that you look at their website www.islanddolphincare.org for more information.
Does it cost anything to participate in the program?
Other than a $25 application fee, there is no cost to participate in the program. Interns are responsible for the cost of both room and board, as well as any additional personal expenses that occur.
Does Dolphin Cove consider international applicants?
Yes, international applicants are welcomed to apply to the program as long as all other eligibility requirements are met. These requirements are found in the description of our internship program on our website. A good understanding of the English language will be necessary for adequate communication with the staff.
Do interns need to have a car if accepted into the program?
No, but a car does give you more freedom and flexibility during your time with us. Options such as a bike and weekly car rentals are available through various companies within the keys. There is also a grocery store, restaurants, and a K-mart department store within walking distance from the facility.
What airports are located near Dolphin Cove?
Miami International Airport (MIA) is located about 60 miles north of Key Largo, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) about 90 miles north of Key Largo. You can expect by car for it to take about an hour and 15 minutes to get to MIA and about an hour and 45 minutes to get to FLL.
What transportation is available to and from the airports?
Dolphin Cove does not provide transportation to and from the airport. However, there are a couple of reliable options for you to get to and from the Florida Keys. The Keys Shuttle (www.keysshuttle.com) runs several trips daily both to and from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale airports. Additionally, the Greyhound Bus (www.greyhound.com) has multiple pick up and drop off times daily to the Miami airport. Lastly, taxis are an option, but are very expensive.
How many internship positions are available?
The internship program at Dolphin Cove usually hosts 2-4 interns per session. The acceptance process is quite competitive, but we do try to offer the program to as many individuals as we can.
After interviewing for the internship position, how soon should an applicant expect to receive a response?
Applicants are individually rated and scored based upon the completed application and telephone interview. Within one week of the application deadline all interviewed applicants will be notified of their status. Both accepted and not accepted applicants will be informed.
How many hours per week are interns required to be on site at Dolphin Cove?
The internship is an unpaid position that requires a 40-hr/week commitment. Interns are usually excited about starting with us and do not want to take days off. However, it is required by the program that each intern take 2 days off a week.
Is obtaining college credit an option?
Yes. Every University has different requirements for obtaining academic credit. Often times, we as a facility, internship program, and directors have to meet the criteria that are set forth by your institution in order to even qualify. Although Dolphin Cove has not had an issue with this in the past, each student is treated differently. Accepted applicants are responsible for speaking to their University advisors and connecting them to our Internship Supervisor if needed. Dolphin Cove is very flexible with fulfilling these requirements and is often able to tailor the program to the Universities needs.
Are interns allowed to complete a research project using the dolphins as subjects?
Dolphin Cove does not require their interns to complete a research project. Our sister facility, Dolphins Plus, has designed an internship program specifically for those with a focus on research. If a research project is required in order to receive academic credit then the research department may be able to accommodate on an individual basis. For more information on the research internship, please visit the Dolphins Plus website www.dolphinsplus.com.
Directions to Dolphin Cove
We encourage individuals to use a service such as Mapquest.com to find our facility. Our address is:
101900 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, Florida 33037
What are some lunch options for interns?
Interns are welcome to bring a lunch to work; there is a refrigerator available where food can be stored. Since some housing units are within walking distance interns may also choose to go home for lunch.
What is the dress code for interns? Wetsuit? Rain gear? Warm clothing?
Dolphin Cove will provide each intern with 2 Dolphin Cove intern T-shirts. Interns have the option of purchasing more of these shirts at a discounted rate. Each intern will be responsible for bringing black, navy, or grey shorts (board shorts, workout shorts, cotton, etc), solid color t-shirts or tank tops (black, white, navy, etc.), full-piece swimsuits for women (must cover the entire stomach and chest region), long board shorts for men, and durable foot wear (sandals, flip-flops, crocs, etc.). Interns will be exposed to the fish house and water daily, as well as seasonal weather conditions. Be mindful of this when choosing your attire.
Dolphin Cove strongly recommends that interns are prepared for all types of weather condition. Interns may bring a personal wet suit, but Dolphin Cove has wet suits available onsite. A personal raincoat should be brought for the Florida Keys summer showers. Winter interns may be interested in bringing rubber boots and other cold weather gear.
What are normal weather conditions for Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring?
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
HI (Fahrenheit) |
70 |
71 |
74 |
79 |
83 |
85 |
86 |
86 |
85 |
84 |
79 |
70 |
LOW (Fahrenheit) |
53 |
53 |
56 |
65 |
69 |
72 |
73 |
74 |
74 |
71 |
65 |
50 |
Precipitation
(inches) |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Overall, Key Largo has beautiful sunny weather for the majority of the year. However, summer months have high humidity, which is toned down by the cool breezes from the ocean. There is an increase in rainfall beginning late May. The official hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th with the highest potential of storms occurring mid August through mid October. Evacuation drills are in place in the event a hurricane is predicted to come to the Keys. Interns are encouraged to prepare for all weather conditions, including cool winter nights when the temperature has been known to drop in the 40’s and 50’s.
What are some animal care and training intern daily duties?
Interns aid in diet preparation, facility maintenance, guest interaction, public speaking, educational lecture series, animal training sessions, as well as cross training in different departments.
How much hands-on interaction with the animals does an intern receive?
The internship program has been designed so that each intern completes a series of phases. Both the animal care and research (Dolphins Plus) internships are based upon a reward system. The amount of privileges that each intern receives, from animal interactions to assisting in the training process, will be granted based upon the performance of the individual. Interns are given the appropriate tools to gain a vast amount of knowledge, as well as the opportunity to shine. Each of the coordinators will ensure that every intern will be rewarded appropriately for their efforts. We would like to stress that focus of the intern should not be on how much dolphin interaction they will receive but rather on learning all that they can to prepare them for a possible future job in the industry.
Do interns train the animals?
To provide consistency and clarity for the animal population at Dolphin Cove, interns are allowed to participate (upon approval) in training sessions as assistants but are not allowed to directly train the animals.
Do interns participate in sessions with the animals?
Yes, interns will assist trainers in different types of sessions (guest interaction sessions, husbandry sessions, enrichment, play, etc).
Can an intern’s family visit? Are discounts available on interactions or purchases in the gift shop?
Accepted intern may have their family come and visit. As far as family members participating in one of our animal interactions, each intern will receive 2 swims at a discounted price if there is space available; each additional swim can be purchased at regular price. Additionally, interns receive a 20% discount from our gift shop during their internship.
What is the likelihood of an opportunity of obtaining a job post-internship?
Dolphin Cove has hired several interns in the past. Within the industry, internships are an opportunity for individuals to have a prolonged “interview” with the facility. It is a perfect time for the intern to get to know the facility; all while the facility to assessing if the individual is a good fit for their staff.
What is the difference in the internship program at Dolphin Cove and the internship program at Dolphins Plus?
Dolphin Cove and Dolphins Plus are sister facilities both of which are located in Key Largo, Florida. We offer the exact same program for our interns. The only difference is that there is also a research based internship offered through Dolphins Plus. Every intern gets the opportunity to visit each facility and those participating in the research internship may be responsible for conducting research at Dolphin Cove as well.
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